Despite difficulties faced in 2020 due to Covid-19 the Australian Doctor’s International ( ADI ) is pleased to have completed nine outreach health patrols with support from the New Ireland Provincial Health Authority.
In 2021 ADI will be conducting 12 patrols. “ Our patrols comprise of both road and sea based patrols. Almost three quarters of the patrols are sea based where we will use banana boats or the Government fast boat to access the rural health facilities and the communities,” said ADI’s Office Manageress Sherel Nama.
The first patrol of the year was successfully carried out at the Lelet Plateau in February from the 1st to the 5th. The health team spent one week in this area visiting four villages. This was the first time a patrol has been focused on the Lelet plateau. The top three health issues in the community included skin infections, musculoskeletal issues and lifestyle diseases.
The second patrol was carried out in Konoagil West areas from the 15th to the 25th of February. The patrol took 12 days due to the geographically challenging location. The team provided health awareness and clinical services to 10 villages, including education at two Aid Posts and two schools. There was a malaria outbreak in the regions of Kabaila to Watpi, with approximately 50 patients diagnosed with Malaria.
“The patrol team ran out of Malaria ‘rapid diagnostic testing’ kits and antimalarial medications too on day 5 of patrol. The team had used the supplies to treat patients in these villages and also a small donation to Lambom Aid post. Finding further supply of anti-malarials and RDTs was challenging. Thankfully the Pukpuk aid post generously gave some to the ADI team on day 8 allowing the patrol to continue,” said Nama.
The patrols have also ensured that awareness on COVID 19 reaches those in remote locations.
ADI has been partnering with the New Ireland Government for the past 10 years. With over K4.5 million invested in the partnership since 2010. In 2019 alone the ADI provided over 19,700 clinical assessments and interventions over the course of 11 patrols to remote and rural communities, together with staff from New Ireland Health Authority.
While in 2020 ADI in partnership with NIPHA delivered over 13,300 clinical services and 285 hours of public health education to rural communities.
Chairlady for Health in the New Ireland Provincial Executive Council Misbil Nelson said, “We are not doing Health services alone with ADI. We are constantly frequenting health facilities and updating statistics on the kind of diseases or illnesses permeating different parts of New Ireland thus enabling the Government to have a better idea on which areas need more resourcing.”